QUESTIONS REMAIN REGARDING OFFICER'S DEATH

The heroin and cocaine which killed RCMP Drug Awareness Coordinator Barry
Schneider likely came from the police station, RCMP Cpl. Grant Learned
announced during a news conference on Feb. 16.

Schneider, 43, was found dead in his home on Nov. 29.

Police initially believed he had died of a heart attack and were shocked
when laboratory tests later indicated he had died of a lethal dose of
heroin. Cocaine was also found in his body, according to the RCMP.

Learned said on Friday that investigators found no evidence that Schneider
had obtained any drugs on the street, but had signed for heroin and cocaine
from RCMP stores on Oct. 25 and Nov. 28, 2000.

As Drug Awareness Coordinator, Schneider had access to the drugs, which had
been confiscated by police and were slated for destruction, Learned said.

Schneider did not complete paperwork for the drugs, but, at the time, there
was no reason to be suspicious.

Investigators later found quantities of the signed-out drugs in an unmarked
police car Schneider had driven home the day he died, said RCMP Inspector
Dave Zack.

Schneider was not on duty when he died and had phoned the detachment that
afternoon and said he was staying home because he was not feeling well.

Further test results, expected during the next few weeks, will indicate
whether the heroin and cocaine in Schneider's body match the drugs from the
detachment, said Coroner Glenn Partridge.

Partridge said Schneider had taken the drugs within three hours before he died.

Medical examiners found no needle marks on his body and no drug
"paraphernalia" at the scene. Partridge said.

Investigators were unable to determine how Schneider ingested the chemicals.

Lab tests indicated Schneider did not have a long term habit and the case
is likely to be ruled "death by misadventure" from an accidental overdose,
Learned said.

Murder has been ruled out as a cause of death, but investigators have been
unable to determine whether the overdose was intentional.

Schneider's medical history was reviewed, but could not legally be
released, Learned said.